Amsterdam: World War II Private Walking Tour
Description
The private groups allows us to pay a lot of attention to the history of the occupation. We don't have any audio equipment because we just tell everything. Everyone will have the opportunity to ask questions and share interests about the history of the Second World War.
Tour Options
Itinerary
We visit the important sites and monuments relating to the Nazi occupation of Amsterdam (1940-45). Let us be your guides and inform you about this traumatic episode in the Dutch capital's long history. The tour is ideal for visitors who like to go off the beaten path and want to learn more about this important aspect of the city's past. For those with a passion for history this is a tour not to be missed. The tour takes approx. 2,5-3 hours. Your guides are Ben de Jong and Peter Schaapman. We do not visit The Anne Frank House, the Resistance Museum or the Hollandsche Schouwburg (the deportation center). Tickets for these museums and drinks are not included. About halfway through the walk, a short break will be provided for a coffee and/or a rest room visit. Because of its content, the suggested minimum age for the tour is 13.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Reviews(29)
My husband and I had a wonderful time on this tour. Our guide was Peter and he was amazing! His pride and passion for history and Amsterdam was contagious. He not only shared facts but also his own personal history as it related to WW2. His descriptions of Amsterdam then was supplemented with pictures and truly made the history come to life. Peter was very knowledgeable, thoughtful, and answered all our questions with ease. You will have no regrets booking this tour!
Thanks it was a pleasure for me too!!
Our Guide, Peter Schaapman, was very personable and knowledgeable about the history of Amsterdam. His personal stories added richness to this sad chapter of the Netherlands history Highly recommended. A private tour meant we could go at our own pace and have deep conversations.
Dear Patricia, thanks you very much. I learned a lot from your great work in India!
Peter was outstanding. He brought WWII history to life by taking us to the actual locations where events occurred and showing historical photos right where history happened. His knowledge of both the war and Amsterdam is incredibly deep, and he answered every question we threw at him. What stood out most was his genuine passion for the subject. After the tour, he even sent us his thesis on Jews in Denmark—we ended up reading the entire thing and highly recommend it. We took the tour in English, and Peter was excellent. As a native Dutch speaker, he also speaks German and apparently guides in German even more fluently. If we return to Amsterdam, we wouldn’t hesitate to hire Peter again. Beyond being a great guide, he’s simply a thoughtful, engaging, and genuinely good person. Highly recommended.
Peter gave us a extremely interesting tour of WWII history in Amsterdam and Holland, with detailed narrative and photos at each location. Highly Recommended!
Peter was excellent. His intimate knowledge of the city and its history was wonderful. I learned so much from the tour and give it my highest recommendation. Plus, Peter is just a fabulous person - warm, friendly, and engaging. You will love this tour!
Hi Rick, Thanks for the great review. It’s always heartwarming when people take the time to write a review! Best wishes, Peter
Peter is a wonderful tour guide - full of very interesting facts and stories. We walked at an easy pace and stopped at key areas and points of interest. Peter answered all questions and my two children aged 13 and 11 also found the walking tour extremely interesting. Would highly recommend!
I always really enjoy having children on my tour. It is admirable that parents take their children on a holiday into 'history'. Every time, I see that they are very interested in what I tell them about the Second World War and the Holocaust.
Peter took our group of four through a fascinating walk through neighborhoods, touching upon WWII history and the role played by Belgium. He provided links to some of his work as a historian, and photos of key places as they looked during the war. I highly recommend doing this tour to anyone interested in history!
We had a great time with Peter on this tour. He mixed personal experiences with history to give a unique look into the history of the Netherlands and Amsterdam during World War 2. We also enjoyed talking with him about modern events, the differences and similarities between people from around the world, and what it’s like to live in Amsterdam. We would highly recommend this tour to anyone looking to learn about Dutch WW2 history from a person who knows it well and presents it a most engaging way.
Highly informative walk of discovery with a charming published historian. If you want to know what Amsterdam looked and felt like under Nazi control then Peter is your perfect guide. Discover lanes and alleyways that you would never find on your own and stand in the very spots where the tragic history unfolded. 5 star guide. 5 star experience. Hugh and Barbara from Brisbane
Exceptional private tour with no more than 4 people. Very knowledgeable and prepared with details we appreciated. Suggest to visit the resistance museum first. Be prepared to be confronted. I learnt a lot and so glad that I did this tour. Thanks Peter and you are a national treasure.
